Sometimes, you’ve got to let your ears down and let your paws get dirty to have a little fun. This sweet picture book follows weiner dog Rosemary and her best human friend through a day of fun around the neighborhood. It’s full of puddles, leaf piles, and all kinds of young people taking delight in a day outside. At the end of the day, we see Rosemary and her friend delight in a luscious bubble bath. The art is as bright and lively as the text, making this a surefire hit for young readers–especially those who love a good animal story. This has been a go-to gifting title this year.- Kelly Jensen

This gorgeous, expansive middle grade historical fiction delves into Chinese history through two alternating timelines. As Han Yu traverses ancient China with a poet to sell goods for his ill family, Luli launches a museum to aid her family during the Great Depression in Chinatown, New York City. These two tweens use courage and creativity to support their families, their two storylines becoming increasingly interconnected as the novel progresses. It’s an action-packed and heartwarming read, steeped in richly imagined worlds that are as well-researched as they are fascinating.- Margaret Kingsbury

One of my favourite books of all time is The Tea Dragon Society by K. O’Neill. I’ve been searching for a book that is as comforting and beautiful as that one, and I’ve finally found it. When Lu stops getting letters from her ah-ma, the famous geozoologist, she and her best friend set out on a trip to find her, learning more about geofauna along the way. This queernorm middle grade fantasy graphic novel is a cozy story that also deals with grief and cultural divides between generations. The illustrations are so stunning that I finished the book and immediately ordered several art prints, which are now proudly displayed on my wall. -Danika Ellis